USE OF AGRICULTURAL SURPLUSES FOR PRODUCTION OF BIOMASS BY MARINE MICROALGAE

The marine microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum was cultivated in semi- continuous culture under mixotrophic conditions with the soluble fract ions of potato, rye and wheat flours that had been naturally fermented , at 2% or 4% (w/v). The rye flour produced the highest microalgal cel lular density of 90 x 10(6) cells.ml(-1) when supplemented with NaNO3 and NaH2PO4. The autotrophic control only gave 57 x 10(6) cells.ml(-1) . The value of agricultural surpluses, such as rye flour, can therefor e be increased by its use in the production of valuable, microalgal bi omass which is rich in protein, pigments and fatty acids.